RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
NUR 2063 - Essentials of Pathophysiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Exam 2 Comprehensive Question Bank: Renal, Endocrine, & Gastrointestinal
Disorders
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing kidney function with a nursing student. Which of the following are
primary functions of the kidneys? (Select all that apply)
A. Regulation of blood pressure
B. Regulation of blood osmolarity
C. Removal of toxins and waste products
D. Production of red blood cells
E. Activation of vitamin D
CORRECT ANSWER
A, B, C, E. BP regulation, osmolarity, toxin removal, and vitamin D activation are
kidney functions. RBC production is primarily in bone marrow (kidneys produce
erythropoietin which stimulates RBC production, but RBCs themselves are not
produced in kidneys).
RATIONALE
Kidneys maintain homeostasis via: BP regulation (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system),
fluid/electrolyte balance (osmolarity), waste excretion (urea, creatinine, toxins), acid-base balance,
and endocrine functions (erythropoietin, vitamin D activation).
,Question 2
An older adult male reports difficulty initiating urination, a weak stream, and post-void
dribbling. These clinical manifestations are most consistent with:
A. Acute pyelonephritis
B. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Glomerulonephritis
CORRECT ANSWER B. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
RATIONALE
BPH causes bladder outlet obstruction symptoms: hesitancy (difficulty initiating stream), weak
urinary stream, dribbling, urinary retention, and nocturia. These occur due to prostate gland
enlargement compressing the urethra.
Question 3
A patient has a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The nurse understands that
this will affect water reabsorption in which part of the nephron?
A. Proximal convoluted tubule
B. Loop of Henle
C. Distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
D. Bowman's capsule
CORRECT ANSWER C. Distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
RATIONALE
ADH acts on the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct to insert aquaporins (water
channels), increasing water reabsorption and concentrating urine. ADH deficiency causes diabetes
insipidus (large volume dilute urine).
, Question 4
A patient with type 2 diabetes asks the nurse to explain the underlying problem. Which
response is most accurate regarding type 2 diabetes pathophysiology?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to absolute insulin deficiency
B. Peripheral tissue insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
C. Excessive glucagon secretion from alpha cells
D. Antibodies against insulin receptors only
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Peripheral tissue insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
RATIONALE
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance (muscle, liver, adipose tissue fail to respond
normally to insulin) and progressive beta-cell dysfunction leading to relative insulin deficiency.
Obesity, inactivity, and genetics contribute.
Question 5
A patient presents with exophthalmos (bulging eyes), goiter, heat intolerance, and
unexplained weight loss. These findings are consistent with:
A. Hashimoto thyroiditis
B. Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism)
C. Myxedema
D. Cushing syndrome
CORRECT ANSWER B. Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism)
RATIONALE
Graves disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroidism with thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins.
Classic manifestations: goiter, exophthalmos (infiltrative ophthalmopathy), heat intolerance,
weight loss, tachycardia, anxiety, and tremor.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
NUR 2063 - Essentials of Pathophysiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Exam 2 Comprehensive Question Bank: Renal, Endocrine, & Gastrointestinal
Disorders
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing kidney function with a nursing student. Which of the following are
primary functions of the kidneys? (Select all that apply)
A. Regulation of blood pressure
B. Regulation of blood osmolarity
C. Removal of toxins and waste products
D. Production of red blood cells
E. Activation of vitamin D
CORRECT ANSWER
A, B, C, E. BP regulation, osmolarity, toxin removal, and vitamin D activation are
kidney functions. RBC production is primarily in bone marrow (kidneys produce
erythropoietin which stimulates RBC production, but RBCs themselves are not
produced in kidneys).
RATIONALE
Kidneys maintain homeostasis via: BP regulation (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system),
fluid/electrolyte balance (osmolarity), waste excretion (urea, creatinine, toxins), acid-base balance,
and endocrine functions (erythropoietin, vitamin D activation).
,Question 2
An older adult male reports difficulty initiating urination, a weak stream, and post-void
dribbling. These clinical manifestations are most consistent with:
A. Acute pyelonephritis
B. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Glomerulonephritis
CORRECT ANSWER B. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
RATIONALE
BPH causes bladder outlet obstruction symptoms: hesitancy (difficulty initiating stream), weak
urinary stream, dribbling, urinary retention, and nocturia. These occur due to prostate gland
enlargement compressing the urethra.
Question 3
A patient has a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The nurse understands that
this will affect water reabsorption in which part of the nephron?
A. Proximal convoluted tubule
B. Loop of Henle
C. Distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
D. Bowman's capsule
CORRECT ANSWER C. Distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
RATIONALE
ADH acts on the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct to insert aquaporins (water
channels), increasing water reabsorption and concentrating urine. ADH deficiency causes diabetes
insipidus (large volume dilute urine).
, Question 4
A patient with type 2 diabetes asks the nurse to explain the underlying problem. Which
response is most accurate regarding type 2 diabetes pathophysiology?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to absolute insulin deficiency
B. Peripheral tissue insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
C. Excessive glucagon secretion from alpha cells
D. Antibodies against insulin receptors only
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Peripheral tissue insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
RATIONALE
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance (muscle, liver, adipose tissue fail to respond
normally to insulin) and progressive beta-cell dysfunction leading to relative insulin deficiency.
Obesity, inactivity, and genetics contribute.
Question 5
A patient presents with exophthalmos (bulging eyes), goiter, heat intolerance, and
unexplained weight loss. These findings are consistent with:
A. Hashimoto thyroiditis
B. Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism)
C. Myxedema
D. Cushing syndrome
CORRECT ANSWER B. Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism)
RATIONALE
Graves disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroidism with thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins.
Classic manifestations: goiter, exophthalmos (infiltrative ophthalmopathy), heat intolerance,
weight loss, tachycardia, anxiety, and tremor.
